Dodgy buses are garaged
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SOUTHDOWN busmen in Worthing last week refused to drive Daimler Fleetline double-deckers because the buses, they claimed, were dangerous.
Southdown has 25 Mark 1 Fleetlines now coming up for recertification. Eight hundred and eleven drivers went on unofficial strike over the vehicles, which, they said, should be replaced. Among the defects cited were poor suspension, heavy steering and over heating.
Deputy traffic manager Harry Blundred described the strike as irresponsible. The men had acted without going through their grievance procedure and against the advice of their full-time Transport and General Workers' Union officials.
The strike is now over and two of the Fleetlines are still in service at Worthing. The other 23 vehicles have been temporarily withdrawn for Southdown's engineering department to investigate their performances and steering.
The withdrawn Fleetlines are to be replaced by recently withdrawn single-deckers until satisfactory modifications can be made.